Online engineering tool system for specifying the various components of a holdown system

ABSTRACT

Computerized online engineering tool system for specifying the various components of a holdown system that assemble a run comprising a tie rod in a frame wall structure from the foundation up through the walls to the top floor, and bearing members and tension devices securing the tie rod to the wall. The system comprises a user&#39;s computer for connecting to a server which includes a database of drawing elements and hardware component parts; the server including a program operably associated with the database; and the program including the steps of i) allowing a user to login into the server; ii) allowing the user to select options for the run; iii) providing the user a data input and calculated data page for the load at each framing level and rod size sufficient to handle the load; and allowing the user to download a shop or installation drawing of the run generated using the drawing elements and hardware component parts from the database.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 13/761,335 filed on Feb.7, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,751,206, which is a continuation ofapplication Ser. No. 12/585,747 filed on Sep. 23, 2009, now U.S. Pat.No. 8,380,470, which claims the priority benefit of provisionalapplication Ser. No. 61/136,646, filed Sep. 23, 2008, all of theabove-mentioned applications being hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed to a tension holdown systemused in walls in light frame construction to resist uplift and tocompensate for wood shrinkage in wood frame construction and compressionloading. In particular, the present invention is a computerized onlineengineering tool system for specifying the various components of aholdown system that make up a run comprising a tie rod extending insidea wall from the foundation through the top floor, and bearing membersand tension devices securing the tie rod to the wall.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an online computerized engineering toolsystem used to produce holdown designs “on-the-fly” from over 1000holdown parts and a library of over 550 drawing elements from which thissystem will automatically build reports and drawings. The tool systemprovides a complete report, including drawings of a holdown run, listingthe various components required for the specified run. The report can beincorporated into the engineer's design package for presentation to acustomer.

A holdown run comprises a tie rod that extends from the foundationthrough the top floor and several components that secure the tie rod atthe foundation, floor, midfloor and top floor levels.

The present invention provides a computerized online engineering toolsystem for specifying the various components of a holdown system thatassembles a run comprising a tie rod extending inside a frame wallstructure from the foundation up through the walls to the top floor, andbearing members and tension devices securing the tie rod to the wall.The system comprises a user's computer for connecting to a server whichincludes a database of drawing elements and hardware component parts;the server includes a program operably associated with the database; andthe program includes the steps of allowing a user to login into theserver; allowing the user to select options for the run; allowing theuser to input load at each framing level and displaying to the user arod size sufficient to handle the load; and allowing the user todownload a shop or installation drawing of the run generated using thedrawing elements and hardware component parts from the database.

The present invention also provides a method for specifying the variouscomponents of a holdown system that assembles a run, comprising a tierod extending inside a frame wall structure from the foundation throughthe wall up to the top floor, and bearing members and tension devicessecuring the tie rod to the wall. The method comprises the steps ofconnecting to a server which includes a database of drawing elements andhardware component parts; selecting options for the run; inputting loadat each framing level and displaying rod size sufficient for carryingthe load; and printing a shop or installation drawing of the run meetingthe load, including a table of calculated values, or a schedule ofcomponents needed to build the run using the drawing elements andhardware component parts from the database.

The present invention will become apparent from the following detaileddescription.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a one level run inside a stud wall of aone story building.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a two level run inside a stud wall of atwo story building.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a three level run inside a stud wall ofa three story building.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a user's computer connected to a serverthrough the Internet.

FIG. 5 shows a process flow chart of a client browser to servercommunications process embodying the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a screen shot of an Environmental Setup page of the system ofFIG. 5, showing enlarged views of the runs generated on the fly by userselections.

FIG. 7 is a screen shot of an Input Uplift Loads page of the system ofFIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a screen shot of a splash page of the system of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a screen shot of a login page of the system of FIG. 9.

FIG. 10 is a process flow chart for login or creating an account in thesystem of FIG. 5.

FIG. 11 is a screen shot of an Environmental Setup page for a sampleproject.

FIG. 12 is a process flow chart of the environmental setup step of thesystem of FIG. 5.

FIG. 13 is screen shot of a user account page of the system of FIG. 5.

FIG. 14 is process flow chart of the Input Uplift Loads step of thesystem of FIG. 5.

FIG. 15A is a screen shot of the Input Uplift Loads step of the systemof FIG. 5.

FIGS. 15B-15E show windows linked to hypertext in FIG. 15A.

FIG. 16 is a screen shot of FIG. 15A showing an area for entry of theuplift load and wall height, an area for displaying the calculatedvalues and an area where overrides may be exercised.

FIG. 17 is a process flow chart for the Print Shop Drawing step of thesystem of FIG. 5.

FIG. 18 shows a screen shot of the Print Shop Drawing step, Shot DetailSheet tab, of the system of FIG. 5.

FIG. 19 shows a screen shot of the Print Shop Drawing step, Print Reporttab, of the system of FIG. 5.

FIG. 20 shows a screen shot of the Print Shop Drawing step, DownloadDrawing tab, of the system of FIG. 5.

FIG. 21 is a screen shot of a page showing processing of a downloaddrawing request.

FIG. 22 is a screen shot of a page showing a dialogue box to open orsave the downloaded file.

FIG. 23 is a sample shop drawing.

FIG. 24 is a sample report shown in FIG. 19 of the Print Report tabpage.

FIG. 25 is a sample downloaded drawing shown in FIG. 20 of the DownloadDrawing tab page.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, an example of a one level run, using a holdownsystem 2 in a one level structure. The system 2 includes a foundationanchor 4 operably attached to a foundation 6 of a building. Thefoundation anchor 4 includes a threaded rod 8 attached to anotherthreaded or tie-rod rod 10 by means of a coupling 12. A bridge member 14spans between two adjacent studs 16 and is supported by a pair ofreinforcement studs 18. A bearing plate 20 sits on top of the bridgemember 14. The threaded rod 10 extends through the bridge member 14 andthe bearing plate 20 through respective openings. A holdown device 22 issecured between the bearing plate 20 and a nut 24. The holdown device 22is a tensioning device, such as the IMPASSE device (U.S. Pat. No.6,951,078) and the SLACKJACK device, both available from EarthboundCorporation, Monroe, Wash. The device 22 is an expanding fastenerassembly used to take up any slack that may develop in the tie rod 10due to shrinkage in the building wall. The reinforcement studs 18terminate between the top plate 26 and the bottom plate 28.

The building foundation refers generally to any structure that is usedto anchor or tie a building to the ground. Examples are post tensiondeck (PTD), slab on grade (SOG), slab drilled and epoxy studs inserted(Epoxy), coupler welded to beam (Steelbeam), drilled and secured fromthe bottom of the woodbeam (Woodbeam) foundation walls, and anysubstantial structure solidly anchored in the ground. Accordingly, abuilding foundation can be any structure that is capable of transferringthe load of the building to the ground.

FIG. 2 shows a two level run, using the holdown system 2 in a two storybuilding. The holdown device 22 is disposed within the stud wall of thesecond floor. Reinforcement studs 27 extending from the bottom plate 28to the top plate 26 are provided in the wall below the reinforcementstuds 18 installed in the second floor wall. The bottom ends of thereinforcement studs 18 rest on the bottom plate 32 of the second floorwall.

An example of a three level run, using a holdown system 63 in a threestory building is shown in FIG. 3. The tie-rod 10 extends inside thestud wall through the first floor wall, second floor wall and terminatesin the third floor wall. Bridge members 62, 64, 66, 68 and 70 along withholdown devices 72, 74, 76, 78 and 80 keep the tie rod 10 under tension.The bridge member 62 is supported by reinforcement studs 82 and 84 withthe adjacent ends of the reinforcement studs sandwiching the respectiveends of the bridge member 62. The holdown device 62 is disposed betweena bearing plate 86 and a nut 88.

The holdown device 74 also bears down on a bearing plate 90 supported bythe bridge member 64, which in turn bears down on the bottom plate. Anut 94 secures the holdown device 74 to the tie rod 10. The bottom endsof the reinforcement studs 100 bear down on the bridge member 64,transferring the load to the bottom plate and to the reinforcement studs84 and 82 below.

The holdown device 76 along with its bridge member 66 and a bearingplate 96 and its respective nut 98 are similarly installed as theholdown device 62. The reinforcement studs 100 and 102 similarly securethe bridge member 66 to the stud wall.

The reinforcement studs 102 bear down on the bridge member 66,transferring the load to the reinforcement studs 100.

The holdown device 78 along with its bridge member 68, its bearing plate104 and nut 106 are similarly secured as the holdown device 74. The endsof reinforcement studs 108 bear down on the bridge member 68,transferring the load to the base plate and to the reinforcement studs102 below. The bridge member 70 is supported on the top edge of thereinforcement studs 108 and is secured to the tie rod with nut 110.Bearing plate 112 is disposed between the bridge member 70 and theholdown device 80.

The online engineering tool system, as will be described in thefollowing description, calculates the loads expected at each level ofthe run, specifies the various components, and generates a shop detailsheet; a report containing an image of the run, schedule of componentsneeded to build the run, table of calculated loads and schedule ofcompression lumber options; and a DXF (drawing exchange file) drawingshowing framing elements in which the holdown system is installed.Examples of the various outputs of the system in pdf format are attachedat the end of the Annex.

Referring to FIG. 4, the system comprises a server 112 accessible by auser's computer 114 connected to the Internet 116. Any user with aninternet browser can access the server after authentication. A programas described herein resides in the server 112 to allow the user toproperly specify a run.

Assemble DXF Data

The system SQL database contains project data, DXF library and holdowncomponents. From a library of DXF drawings (blocks) the processassembles those drawings in to a representation of a run in a shear wallfor use in CAD. The process replaces text in the DXF files to match theassigned materials predetermined in the previous calculations. Theresulting assemblies are provided “on-the-fly.”

Calculations

Each floor is calculated to the specifications provided by the userinput; wall height, lumber type, uplift load, IBC (InternationalBuilding Code) and wood species. This produces the rod size, coupler,tensioning device and resulting design loads. This information isassigned to that run and level/floor then stored in the database for uselater in the assembly of the DXF and reports.

Referring to FIG. 5, a process flow diagram of a computerized onlineengineering tool system for specifying the various components of aholdown system that make up a run is disclosed. A client browser toserver communication process is shown. The client browser is used toselect options and input data which is sent to the server for analysisand processing. Upon completion at the server, data is returned to theclient and stored in the cookie of the client browser. Some data isstored in a server cookie as well, known as session cookies. Sessionsare directly tied to the client browser through a GUID (Globally uniqueID).

This system is built upon the Microsoft DotNetwork Framework using the3.5 version. The language of the server side code is written in is C#(pronounced: C-sharp).

The client web pages are written to target all modern browsers butcaters to the browsers that have XHTML compliant technology and utilizethe latest version of JavaScript.

This web site takes extensive advantage of AJAX (asynchronous JavaScriptand XML) technology. It is not a programming language but a new way touse existing technology. Made popular by Google in 2005.

Referring to FIG. 6, the system provides dynamically changing runimages. Selection of any of several of the properties on the environmentsettings page will dynamically update the image of the run on this page.The example progression shown, left to right, is a single story with asteelbeam anchorage, a two story with wood beam anchorage, a three storywith PTD anchorage, a four story with PTD anchorage and holdown devicerequired under the bridge and a five story with SOG anchorage. Allimages are created “on-the-fly” by user selections.

Referring to FIG. 7, the system provides a Wizard Step-through 1, 2, 3.The wizard allows the user to easily step from one process to the nextand back again without losing data that had already been entered intothis systems process of building a run.

Referring to FIG. 8, a splash screen is shown. This site is created foruse by structural engineers and those with the knowledge to understandthe application of holdown systems in a wood frame structure. This toolassembles a report or drawing from a library of over 550 drawingelements and over 1000 hardware parts in 30 categories for the engineerdesign all done “on-the-fly,” giving the engineer complete control overthe design and dynamically out-putting the results in various formats.

It is assumed to a certain extent that the materials presented on thisweb site will be familiar to that audience and thus does not provideextensive education about how to use a holdown system in a wood framestructure. It is designed to assist those with the understanding indeveloping a holdown system to meet the criteria they have set forth intheir design of the structure following building code standards for thelocation in which their building will reside.

The end result of using this system will be the immediate consumption ofthe DXF data provided as the result of the design criteria selected fromand input into the system. The DXF data can be immediately placed into aset of contract drawings for the submittal process.

Referring to FIG. 9, a login/account creation access page of the systemis disclosed. FIG. 10 shows a process flow chart of the access page.

Referring to FIG. 11, the wizard step 1, environmental settings page ofthe system, is disclosed. FIG. 12 shows a process flow chart of thepage. No calculations take place on this page. It is simply a criteriaselection page.

Run Levels: The user will select the number that corresponds to thelocation in the wood frame structure where this system will beinstalled. The number will determine how many floors the rod system willtravel. For each floor of travel there will be an uplift load defined bythe engineer for that location in the structure. That load will becaptured by the rod system to return that load down to the foundation ascompression load. This is to prevent the wall in which it is locatedfrom tilting during a seismic event. Selection of the run level on thispage will dynamically update the run image on the left side of the pageto reflect the what the system would look like in the framing of thestructure. Selection of this item dynamically updates the image on thispage.

Galvanization: The user will select whether or not galvanization will berequired. This will impact what parts are selected to add to the rundesign for field Installation. This selection has no bearing on anycalculations.

Report Type: The user selects which Building Code will govern thestructures engineering design principles. The report impacts how the rodis selected. Each of the Report Types or Building Codes affects how muchload a rod can handle. The rod loads are available in a table structurein a database, thus selecting a report type will assign a rod that meetsthat building code criteria.

The Framing Details section contains several choices, as follows:

1. Light Framing verse Platform Framing: This affects how the systemselects the appropriate drawing elements from the database to assemblefor structure representation of that framing style. This option does nothave any effects on calculations; it simply allows the system torepresent the proper framing format in the final drawing output.Selection of this item dynamically updates the image on this page.

2. Stud on Plate: Wood species have different properties of strength,bending modulus, compression parallel to grain and fiber, etc. Theselected combination of wood allows the system to propefly calculate theamount of lumber needed to add to the structure to handle the downloadforce generated by the holdown system.

3. Plate to Plate: This is part of the calculation of the strength ofthe wood species selected by “Stud to Plate.”

Anchor Details section contains several choices as follows:

1. Anchor By Others: Simply allows our system to note that the engineerhas chosen another process to handle the details about the anchoragesystem. This will be noted on the drawing, if selected, “Anchor byOthers.” This does not impact any calculations.

2. Rod Length: Allows us to send the correct rod length the engineer hasdetermined is needed for this holdown run.

3. Anchor Type: The engineer has determined what the anchor condition isin his structure. This allows the system to correctly identify the partsneeded for this anchor. Example, if a PTD (post tension deck) isselected, the calculated uplift load is used to select the appropriatesized components; namely, anchor plate, rod, nuts and washers ifrequired. Selection of this item dynamically updates the image on thispage.

Compression Lumber Grade: Affects the wood strength and as with theprevious wood related choices will determine the amount of lumber usedin the structure to handle the compression load.

Bridge Level: Require device under bridge. Some engineers prefer to havea holdown device for each floor in the structure. This option allows theengineer to override our system's ability to push the load of a lightlyloaded structure up a floor to use less devices In the structure. Thisonly affects the where the load will be located In the structure.Selection of this item dynamically updates the image on this page.

Referring to FIG. 13, a user account page, including account informationand password reset is shown. This page allows the logged in users toreset/change their password. Optionally they can provide the system moreinformation about themselves.

Referring to FIG. 14, a process flow chart of the wizard step 2, RunBuilder page of the system, is disclosed. Server processes (in ordershown) for the wizard step 2 are:

1. Calculate the loads:

-   -   a. Rod Tension: This is the per level tension load specified by        the user.    -   b. Calculated Differential Load: This is a calculation of the        incremental tension load between stories.    -   c. Collected Differential Load: This is typically to 1b. unless        a device is skipped in the run.    -   d. Compression loads: This is typically equal to 1a. unless the        user provides a higher required value then,    -   e. Determine what the loads are per floor and assign the loads        to each floor.

RULE: Bridge load defines the lumber used for the bridge: Solid orTimberstrand.

2. Resolve Rod loading/size:

-   -   a. Load the rod matrix from the database for the given Report        Type/Building Code/    -   b. Select the rod size that meets or exceeds the tension load        required for that floor from the matrix.    -   c. Check against the override value and choose the stronger of        the two.    -   d. Check for galvanization requirement and assign the        nomenclature to the part.

3. Determine the holdown device location and size for each floor:

RULE: If the run is three or more stories a 2″ travel device is used inthe upper 3 floors and a 1″ travel device on the lower floors. If therun is below a four story run then 1″ travel devices are assigned to allfloors. Using the rule above, the rod size assigned to the given floorand the load assigned to that floor we can then determine the holdown touse for that floor.

4. Calculation of Rod Elongation (formula: F*L/A*E)

E=29000000, A=Rod area, L=Length of Wall (inches), F=Rod Tension (Force)

-   -   a. Calculate the elongation for the rod assigned to each floor.

5. Calculate for anchor bolt size.

RULE: Minimum size in concrete anchorage is R5 (⅝″ diameter).

RULE: Anchor bolt is always the same size or larger than that of thefirst floor.

This has an override option so the engineer can specify a larger anchorfor the design.

6. Resolve coupler location and sizes for each floor.

-   -   a. The system checks the rod size for each floor and ensure that        the proper connecting coupler nomenclature is called out to        match the rod above and below the connection point.    -   b. The system checks for galvanization requirement and assigns        the nomenclature to the part.

7. Calculates bearing plate location and size for each holdown location.

RULE: The system uses the collected differential load and rod size todetermine the plate conditions.

-   -   a. Rod size determines the hole size in the plate.    -   b. The system loads a matrix of pre-engineered plate sizes        (length, width, thickness, capacity, color) from the database.

The system takes the collected differential load and find a platecapacity that meets or exceeds the load for that floor.

8. Calculate the posting requirements for each floor.

RULE: If there are multiple floors then the first floor 4×8 corner postis allowed

RULE: 2×4 wall structure is the default posting type; others are shownas optional.

The calculation requires the following inputs:

1) Wood Member Species (Doug Fir, Hem Fir, etc.)

2) Wood member Grade {Stud Grade, No. 1, No. 2, etc. in accordance to2005 NDS (National Design Specifications for Wood Construction).

3) Wood Member Height in feet (derived from plate to plate dimension).

4) Wood Member Species of horizontal wood member (also known as “bottomplate”). The wood compression calculation method chooses the lower ofthe following:

a) Capacity of the vertical member bearing area down to the horizontalwood bearing member. Building code refers to the NDS to stipulate amaximum compression pressure to the bottom plate depending on the woodspecies.

b) Capacity of Column Buckling: Capacity of maximum allowed compressivestress due to the axial downward force.

The calculation method feeds the inputs above along with standardizedlumber sizes using actual dimensions (i.e. 2×4=1.5″×3.5″ up to 4×12 for4″ width walls and 6×10 for 6″ width walls) and develops the propercombination of minimum wood members required to meet the specifiedcompression load. The compression load typically is equal to the tensionload given of a particular level, but the user can manually specify ahigher compression load if required by their determination.

It is worth noting that the system stores much of the calculated data ina server session are variable for use during the Wizard Step 3, printingand drawing download process. The data from Wizard Step 1 is carriedforward in the browsers cookies along with the uplift loads and plate toplate heights from this page.

Referring to FIGS. 15A-15E, the system data input page is shown.Referring to FIG. 15A, clicking the hypertext “How to” at 120 yields awindow shown in FIG. 15B. Clicking the hypertext “Plate to Plate” at 122yields a window shown in FIG. 15C. Clicking the hypertext “RodElongation” at 124 yields a window shown in FIG. 15D. Clicking thehypertext “Override” at 126 yields a window shown in FIG. 15E.

Referring to FIG. 16, the user inputs the uplift load and wall height at128 and the calculated values are returned at 130 from the server aftera posted calculation request. Typical override options at 132 availableafter the return of the calculated data are rod size over sizing, anchorbolt over sizing and compression loading increase.

Referring to FIG. 17, a process flow chart of the Wizard Step 3 PrintingDownload Options Page of the system is disclosed. The server process forthe Wizard Step 3 are:

The previous step (Wizard Step 2) has calculated all the loads, hardwareand compression lumber (posting) needed to build this run. The reportprocess is basically a formatting function to show the load values intabularized form and to organize the hardware such that it is aligned inthe report to match the location of the structure where it is installed.The same basic concept applies to the construction of the DXF (drawingexchange file) for use In CAD, albeit a more complicated process due tothe nature of the environment that pertains to CAD.

Shop Detail Sheet Downloads are pre-built boilerplate zipped files. Thelinks are to those static files.

1. Print Reports

-   -   a. The system takes all the data stored in the server session        and cookies and formats it to fit a HTML document as a report.    -   b. If it is flagged to be in PDF format, the system runs the        same process for building the HTML document and converts the        document to PDF format.

2. Drawing Download

The system loops through each floor and from the database library of DXFtemplates, and the system loads the appropriate template to match thefloor (level), anchorage, bridge and posting condition. The systemmanipulates each DXF template by loading into the DXF template theproper hardware call-outs: rod size, coupler, bearing plate, holdown,posting schedule, etc.

Once this build process is complete the system compresses the DXF intozip format for download to the user. If the user requests it in PDFformat, the system runs the DXF through a conversion process prior tocompression to zip file format.

Referring to FIG. 18, the Shop Detail Sheet tab, Wizard Step 3, shows asample view of a shop drawing at 134. Downloadable pre-built run supportdrawings provide validation to the runs built by this system.

Referring to FIG. 19, the Print/Download Report tab allows user todownload a report of the elements that make up the run built in theprevious steps. Sample or current report depicted on this tab at 136contains:

Image of Run as it would exist in the structure;

Schedule of components need to build the run in the structure;

Table of calculated loads;

Schedule of Compression Lumber options.

Referring to FIG. 20, the Download Drawing tab shows sample or currentview at 138 of a DXF generated for use in CAD systems. See FIG. 25.

DXF data/Drawing contains:

Framing elements of the building structure in which the holdown systemis installed;

Schedule of components needed to build the run in the structure;

Table of calculated loads;

Schedule of Compression Lumber options.

Referring to FIG. 21, a page shows download request processing. The pagedisplays the activity to the client browser.

Referring to FIG. 22, the server has finished producing the downloadabledata requested by the user, report or drawing in the format chosen, andnotifies the client browser to allow the user to save it to their localsystem or open it directly on their system.

Referring to FIG. 23, a sample shop detail sheet is shown.

A sample report is shown in FIG. 24.

A sample drawing is shown in FIG. 25.

While this invention has been described as having preferred design, itis understood that it is capable of further modification, uses and/oradaptations following in general the principle of the invention andincluding such departures from the present disclosure as come withinknown or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains,and as may be applied to the essential features set forth, and fallwithin the scope of the invention.

We claim:
 1. A computerized online engineering tool system forspecifying the various components of a holdown system that assembles arun comprising a tie rod extending inside a frame wall structure fromthe foundation up through the walls to the top floor, and bearingmembers and tension devices securing the tie rod to the wall, saidsystem comprising: a) a user's computer for connecting to a server whichincludes a database of drawing elements and hardware component parts; b)the server including a program operably associated with the database;and c) the program including the steps of: i) allowing the user to logininto the server; ii) allowing the user to select options for the run;iii) allowing the user to input load at each framing level anddisplaying to the user a rod size sufficient to handle the load; and iv)allowing the user to download a shop or installation drawing of the rungenerated using the drawing elements and hardware component parts fromthe database.
 2. The computerized online engineering tool system as inclaim 1, wherein allowing the user to select options includes a settingspage for selecting run levels, bridge level, an applicable buildingcode, framing details, anchor details, compression lumber species,uplift loads or plate to plate distance.
 3. The computerized onlineengineering tool system as in claim 2, wherein: a) said settings pageincludes an image of the run; and b) said image is dynamically updatedas the user enters options for the run.
 4. The computerized onlineengineering tool system as in claim 2, wherein the run levels are singlestory, two story, three story, four story, five story, six story orseven story.
 5. The computerized online engineering tool system as inclaim 2, wherein the building code includes UBC (Uniform Building Code)97/CBC (California Building Code) 2000, IBC (International BuildingCode) 2003, IBC 2006 or IBC
 2009. 6. The computerized online engineeringtool system as in claim 2, wherein the framing details includeselections for light framing or platform framing, wood species or plateto plate distance.
 7. The computerized online engineering tool system asin claim 2, wherein the anchor details include selections for anchortype.
 8. The computerized online engineering tool system as in claim 7,wherein the selections for anchor type include post tension deck (PTD),slab on grade (SOG), slab drilled and epoxy studs inserted (Epoxy),coupler welded to beam (Steelbeam), or drilled and secured from thebottom of the woodbeam (Woodbeam) foundation walls.
 9. The computerizedonline engineering tool system as in claim 2, wherein the compressionlumber grade includes selections for No. 1 or No. 2 grade.
 10. Thecomputerized online engineering tool system as in claim 2, wherein thebridge level includes an option of requiring a holdown device under abridge.
 11. The computerized online engineering tool system as in claim2, wherein the compression lumber species includes selections for HemFir, Doug Fir, Southern Yellow Pine (SYP) (or other wood speciesvariants) or any combinations thereof.
 12. The computerized onlineengineering tool system as in claim 2, wherein the load includes uplift,tension, overturning loads or user specified uplift load at each level.13. The computerized online engineering tool system as in claim 1,wherein the database includes a library of DXF (drawing exchange file)templates.
 14. The computerized online engineering tool system as inclaim 1, wherein allowing the user to input load includes a data inputand calculated data page showing calculated rod elongation at a framinglevel.
 15. The computerized online engineering tool system as in claim14, wherein the rod elongation is calculated as follows:Rod elongation=P*L/A*E, where, E=29,000,000, A=Rod Area, in squareinches, L=Length of Wall (plate to plate height), in inches (in), P=RodTension Force, in pounds, specified by the user as per level tensionload.
 16. The computerized online engineering tool system as in claim 1,wherein allowing the user to download a shop or installation drawingincludes providing the user a print and download page.
 17. A method forspecifying the various components of a holdown system that assembles arun, comprising a tie rod extending inside a frame wall structure fromthe foundation through the wall up to the top floor, and bearing membersand tension devices securing the tie rod to the wall, said methodcomprising the steps of: a) connecting to a server which includes adatabase of drawing elements and hardware component parts; b) selectingoptions for the run; c) inputting load at each framing level anddisplaying rod size sufficient for carrying the load; d) printing a shopor installation drawing of the run meeting the load, including a tableof calculated values, or a schedule of components needed to build therun using the drawing elements and hardware component parts from thedatabase; e) wherein the step of selecting options includes displayingon the user's computer a settings page; and f) wherein the step ofinputting load includes displaying on the user's computer a data inputand calculation page.
 18. A method as in claim 17, and furthercomprising the step of calculating rod elongation at least at oneframing level.
 19. A method as in claim 18, and further comprising thestep of calculating rod elongation as follows:Rod elongation=P*L/A*E, where, E=29,000,000, A=Rod Area, in squareinches, L=Length of Wall (plate to plate height), in inches (in), P=RodTension Force, in pounds, specified by the user as per level tensionload.